Self-propelled boat

ABSTRACT

A self-propelled boat which utilizes a fin mounted on the lower end of an angularly moving, pivotally mounted shaft. The upper end of the shaft is connected with a cross piece which is engaged at its opposite ends by the feet of a boat occupant. The shaft is pivotally mounted at its upper end to flange plates attached to an upstanding post secured to the boat structure. The lower end of the shaft has a projection which can be inserted into a standard swim fin and the heel strap of the swim fin can wrap around the lower shaft end to retain the swim fin. The propelling mechanism can be applied to either a single-hull or twin-hull boat and can be positioned to propel the boat in either the fore or aft direction.

waited States Patent Gross 1 Oct. 3, 1972 [54] SELF-PROPELLED BOAT [72] Inventor: William J. Gross, 20550 DeForest St., Woodland Hills, Calif. 91364 [22] Filed: May 7, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 35,321

[52] US. Cl ..1l5/26, 115/28 [51] Int. Cl. ..B63h l/36 [58] Field of Search ..l15/28, 26

[56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,169,929 9/1958 France Primary Examiner-Andrew I-I. Farrell Att0meyRobert E. Geauque ABSTRACT A self-propelled boat which utilizes a fin mounted on the lower end of an angularly moving, pivotally mounted shaft. The upper end of the shaft is connected with a cross piece which is engaged at its opposite ends by the feet of a boat occupant. The shaft is pivotally mounted at its upper end to flange plates attached to an upstanding post secured to the boat structure. The lower end of the shaft has a projection which can be inserted into a standard swim fin and the heel strap of the swim tin can wrap around the lower shaft end to retain the swim fin. The propelling mechanism can be applied to either a single-hull or twin-hull boat and can be positioned to propel the boat in either the fore or aft direction.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures ATENTEDnm 1912 3,695,211

' sum 1 [IF 2 I NVEN TOR SELF-PROPELLED BOAT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous self-propelled boats have utilized angularly movable, flexible fins to manually propel the boat. Other self-propelled boats have utilized a manually operated water wheel or propeller. In all such boats, either a chain drive or a complicated mechanical linkage has been utilized to power the propelling device, whether it be a fin, a water wheel or a propeller. Also, complicated attachments have been utilized to attach the propelling mechanism to the structure of the boat and consume unnecessary space in the boat. In the case of chain drives connected to feet-operated sprockets, special bearings must be provided for the moving parts of the propelling mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a self-propelled boat which can have either a single hull or a plurality of hulls. The propelling mechanism comprises an angularly movable shaft which extends from the occupant portion of the boat downwardly into the water. The upper end of the shaft is pivotally mounted to an upright post which is secured to the boat structure, and the lower end of the shaft mounts a propelling fin. A cross piece is attached to the upper end'of the shaft and the ends of the cross pieces are positioned to be engaged by the feet of an occupant of the boat. A seat for an occupant is located so that he can be in position to move the cross piece angularly back and forth with his feet. The pivotal mounting for the upper end of the shaft comprises a pair of flange plates projecting from the upright post and cooperating with flanges on the shaft, all of which receive a pivot pin. The lower end of the shaft has a projection insertable into the opening in a standard swim fin and the heel strap of the swim fin can wrap around the lower end of the shaft. The pivotal mounting permits the shaft to be located for propulsion of the boat in either the forward or aft direction and the upright post is located in the proper position to support a sail mast for the boat. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a manually operated boat having a propelling mechanism which is adaptable to various types of boats and which propels a boat by angular movement produced by the feet of an occupant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a vertical section along line 1-1 of FIG. 2 showing the propulsion mechanism for a twin-hull boat in its alternate positions;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view along line 22 of FIG. 1 illustrating the cross-piece engaged by the feet of the occupant;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the pivotal mounting of the propelling mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 1 of a twin-hulled boat utilizing two propulsion mechanisms;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a single-hulled boat utilizing a single propulsion mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section along line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a vertical section of another embodiment of a propelling mechanism for a single-hulled boat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, boat 10 comprises two hulls 11 and 12 which support a frame 14 comprised of cross arms 15 and 16 having opposite ends connected to hulls 11 and 12 in any suitable manner. A longitudinal frame 18 comprises two longitudinal bars 20 and 21 which are spaced apart. The forward ends of bars 20 and 21 are connected together by top and bottom plates 22 and 23 which extend forwardly beyond the ends of the bars to connect with the cross arm 15. In a similar manner, the aft ends of bars 20 and 21 are connected together by top and bottom plates 24 which extend past the ends of the bars a sufficient amount to connect with the cross arm 16. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the top and bottom plates 22 and 23 are welded to bars 20 and 21 and to cross arm 15 to provide an integral frame connection and in a similar manner, the top and bottom plates 24 are welded to the bars 20 and 21 and to cross arm 16. The base 30 of the seat 31 is supported on the longitudinal bars 20 and 21 and a lug,31 can be tightened against the bottom of the bars by means of bolt 32 so that the seat can be located in any selected position along the frame 18.

The propelling mechanism 34 for the boat comprises an upright cylindrical tube or post 35 passing between the bars 20 and 21 and through openings in the plates 22 and 23. Flange plates 36 and 37 project forwardly from the top and bottom, respectively, of the upright post and the plates have openings for receiving sleeve inserts 38 and 39, respectively. A propelling shaft 42 has upper and lower spaced flanges 43 and 44, respectively, which extend on opposite sides of the shaft. Flange 43 has openings 43a and 43b, while flange 44 has openings 44a and 44b. When the shaft is positioned for forward propulsion of the boat, the openings 43b and 44b are aligned with the opening in sleeves 38 and 39 so that pin 46 can extend through the openings and pivotally mount the shaft 42. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the shaft 42 comprises an upper end portion 50, an angular portion 51 and a lower end portion 52. The upper end portion is rigidly connected to a horizontal, transverse cross piece 54 which has padded feet pads 55 and 56 at opposite ends thereof. The lower end 52 of shaft 42 extends below the surface of the water and has a U- shaped rod 60 extending substantially laterally therefrom to provide a projection which can be inserted into the foot opening of a standard swim fin 61. Bee! strap 62 of the swim fin can be wrapped around the lower end portion 52 of the shaft in order to hold the swim fin on the projection 60.

With the propelling shaft 42 in the full line position of FIG. 1 and the occupant seated upon the seat 31, the feet of the occupant can be placed upon the pads 55 and 56 and moved alternately back and forth to cause the shaft 42 to'pivot angularly about the pin 46 into the dotted line positions illustrated in FIG. 2, thereby moving the fin 61 between its phantom line positions of FIG. 2. The swim fin 61 can be flexible and the end of the fin will bend in a direction opposite to that of its angular movement as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2. The movement of the fin will propel the boat forwardly at a speed depending upon the rate of angular movement of the shaft 42. Also, the boat can be steered by the occupant by reciprocating the shaft with the feet while the center position of fin reciprocation is angularly positioned with respect to the axis of the boat. Therefore, it is not necessary to have a separate rudder in order to steer the boat. In the event the occupant desires to propel the boat rearwardly, the propelling mechanism 34 can be reversed into the phantom line position illustrated in FIG. 1, so that the lower end portion 52 of the shaft extends forwardly from the pivot mounting pin. It will be apparent that angular movement of the shaft and fin 61 while in this position will cause the craft to move in the aft direction. The change in position of the propelling mechanism is accomplished by removing pin 46 and revolving the shaft until the openings 43a and 44a are in line with the openings in sleeves 38 and 39 and thereafter reinserting pin 46. The bottom of upright post 35 is closed by plate 35a so that the end of a sail mast 70 can be inserted into the cylindrical opening in the post for support. Thus, the craft is easily converted to sail propulsion. It is understood that any suitable fin structure can be utilized, although the projection on the propulsion shaft facilitates the use of commercial type swim fins which can be used for other activities when not in use to propel the boat.

Referring to FIG. 4, a central frame section 18a is supported by cross pieces a and 16a which are connected to spaced hulls 11 and 12 and angular plates 72 and 73 are mounted on the frame 180 at two spaced locations. A leg of each of the four angular plates supports a plate flange 74 containing an opening for a pin 46a. A propelling mechanism 34 is pivotally mounted by a pin passing through each pair of plate flanges, and each mechanism is operated by an occupant moving one of the crosspieces 54 to move one of the fins 61. An upright post a can be attached to the forward part of frame 180 for the sole purpose of supporting the mast 70. Thus, a plurality of propulsion units 34 can be attached to a boat with spaced hulls to provide for the propulsion of the boat by more than one occupant.

Referring to the single hull embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7, boat 80 has cross members 81, 82 and 83 which are normally provided to seat the occupants. A frame 84 comprises spaced longitudinal members 85 and 86 connected by end pieces 87 and 88. The frame is secured to cross members 81 and 82 in any suitable manner, such as by screws 89. A seat 90 can be adjustably attached in any suitable manner to the frame 84 as by a bolt 86 passing through a plate 87. The propulsion mechanism 90 comprises an upright cylindrical post 91 which is welded to a plate 92 extending between frame members 85 and 86. The plate contains an opening for receiving a sleeve insert 93. The top of the post is closed by a plate 94 containing an opening for receiving a sleeve insert 95. The propelling shaft 98 mounts upper and lower flange plates 99 and 100 having openings 99a and 100a which can be located in alignment with the openings in sleeve inserts 95 and 93. All the openings receive pivot pin 101 which pivotally mounts the shaft 98 for angular movement.

The end 102 of the shaft 98 mounts a horizontal, transverse cross piece 104 which has pads 105 at its opposite ends to be engaged by the feet of the occupant located in seat 90. The end 102 of shaft 98 connects with a substantially horizontal shaft section 103 which extends rearwardly over the transom 104 of the boat and connects with the downwardly extending shaft end 105 terminating below the surface of the water. The lower end 105 of the shaft mounts U-shaped tube 106 which extends transversely from the shaft into the opening in a swim fin 107 and heel strap 108 of the swim fin wraps around the end of the shaft to retain the swim fin on the projection 106. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the boat can be propelled in the forward direction by the occupant who sits facing in the aft direction and propels the boat by alternate foot movement, causing the fin 107 to move from one side to the other, as illustrated in the phantom line positions of FIG. 6. This propelling mechanism and seat position are particularly suitable for trolling; since the speed of the boat can be greatly reduced, there is no noise of a motor to disturb the fish and both of the occupants hands are free to operate his fishing equipment.

A modified single-hull embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 8 wherein boat hull 80a can be constructed of molded fiberglas and has an upright support tube 110 projecting from opening 111 in the bottom 112 of the boat. Propelling shaft 114 has an upper end section 1 15 to which cross member 116 is rigidly attached by means of a pin 117 extending through the shaft end and through the cross member. The lower edge of the cross member rests on the upper end of shaft section to be supported for angularmovement by the feet of the occupant located in the seat 120. The lower end 122 of shaft 114 supports a flexible fin 123 which can have an end opening for receiving shaft end 122. A pin 125 passing through the fin on the end of the shaft can serve to hold the fin on the shaft. In this embodiment, it is necessary that the tubular upright 110 extend above the level of the water in which the boat is moving in order to prevent water from flowing into the boat. The upper end of shaft section 115 is open to receive the end of a sail mast. In the alternative, a sail mast could be mounted in the tubular upright 110 and secured therein by any suitable means, after the propelling mechanism has been removed.

It is apparent that the propelling mechanism of the present invention can be applied to various types of boat constructions and that suitable supports can firmly tie the propulsion mechanism to the boat structure. The invention is particularly suitable for small lakes and pools where boat speed is not of primary importance. The propelling mechanism provides an excellent means for exercise of the occupant. Because of the simplicity and compactness of the propelling mechanism, it can be disassembled and carried separately from the boat so that it can be applied to different boats.

What is claimed is:

1. A self-propelled boat comprising:

a propelling mechanism and an occupants seat;

frame means for supporting said propelling mechanism and said seat; an upright support means attached to said frame means;

said propulsion mechanism comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end;

pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means;

foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat;

said other end of said propelling shaft has a projection extending transversely therefrom;

a swim fin having a cavity and said projection extending into said cavity and frictionally engaging the wall portion of said cavity.

2. A self-propelled boat as defined in claim 1 wherein said boat has spaced hulls and said ends of said propulsion shaft are connected by an intermediate angular section;

said upright support means and said shaft being located between said hulls.

3. A self-propelled boat comprising:

a propelling mechanism and an occupants seat;

frame means for supporting said propelling mechanism and said seat;

an upright support means attached to said frame means;

said propulsion mechanism comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end;

pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means;

foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat;

said upright support means mounts upper and lower flange plates having aligned openings therein, upper and lower transverse flanges on said one end of said propelling shaft having apertures therein alignable with the openings in said flange plates; and

pin means projecting through all said aligned openings and apertures for pivotally supporting said shaft.

4. A self-propelled boat as defined in claim 3 wherein said flanges on said shaft have a second pair of aligned apertures on the opposite side of said shaft from said first aligned openings;

said second pair of openings being alignable with such openings in said flange plates to receive said pin means and locate said fin for propulsion of said boat in the reverse direction.

5. A self-propelled boat comprising:

a propelling mechanism and an occupants seat;

frame means for supporting said propelling mechanism and said seat;

an upright support means attached to said frame means;

said propulsion mechanism comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end;

pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means;

foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaftb e ccu an seate insaid seat in order to move a ir l fin aiiguiarly t rough the water and propel the boat;

said upright support means comprises a cylindrical tube open at its upper end for receiving and supporting the lower end of a sail mast.

6. A self-propelled boat comprising:

a propelling mechanism and an occupant seat;

upright support means secured to said boat;

said propulsion means comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end;

said shaft being mounted for angular movement by said upright support means;

foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; and

said one end of said shaft is open to receive the end of a sail mast. 

1. A self-propelled boat comprising: a propelling mechanism and an occupant''s seat; frame means for supporting said propelling mechanism and said seat; an upright support means attached to said frame means; said propulsion mechanism comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end; pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means; foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; said other end of said propelling shaft has a projection extending transversely therefrom; a swim fin having a cavity and said projection extending into said cavity and frictionally engaging the wall portion of said cavity.
 2. A self-propelled boat as defined in claim 1 wherein said boat has spaced hulls and said ends of said propulsion shaft are connected by an intermediate angular section; said upright support means and said shaft being located between said hulls.
 3. A self-propelled boat comprising: a propelling mechanism and an occupant''s seat; frame means for supporting said propelling mechanism and said seat; an upright support means attached to said frame means; said propulsion mechanism comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end; pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means; foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; said upright support means mounts upper and lower flange plates having aligned openings therein, upper and lower transverse flanges on said one end of said propelling shaft having apertures therein aligNable with the openings in said flange plates; and pin means projecting through all said aligned openings and apertures for pivotally supporting said shaft.
 4. A self-propelled boat as defined in claim 3 wherein said flanges on said shaft have a second pair of aligned apertures on the opposite side of said shaft from said first aligned openings; said second pair of openings being alignable with such openings in said flange plates to receive said pin means and locate said fin for propulsion of said boat in the reverse direction.
 5. A self-propelled boat comprising: a propelling mechanism and an occupant''s seat; frame means for supporting said propelling mechanism and said seat; an upright support means attached to said frame means; said propulsion mechanism comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end; pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means; foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; said upright support means comprises a cylindrical tube open at its upper end for receiving and supporting the lower end of a sail mast.
 6. A self-propelled boat comprising: a propelling mechanism and an occupant seat; upright support means secured to said boat; said propulsion means comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end; said shaft being mounted for angular movement by said upright support means; foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; and said one end of said shaft is open to receive the end of a sail mast. 